The president of Gambia has said all public workers will have three-day weekends starting from February 1st. President Yayha Jammeh has added Friday to the regular weekend of Saturday and Sunday. He wants people to farm, rest more and pray. However, he also announced that government employees would work from 8am to 6pm Mondays to Thursdays. In addition: "Schools, banks and all other affected places are free to work on Saturdays." This means that people may have split weekends, and work an extra 10 hours a week. Government workers currently work from 8am to 4pm. Working until 6pm means eight hours extra, which could become ten if they have to work on Saturdays too.

The president said the new working hours would, "allow Gambians to devote more time to prayers, social activities and agriculture". He said people could, "go back to the land and grow what we eat and eat what we grow for a healthy and wealthy nation". Gambia's 'Freedom Newspaper' criticised the president's idea. It said the three-day weekend, "is going to [have a bad] effect on the economy and the country. Many workers…are worried that the changes are going to create problems for them." The paper added: "Gambia's economy and infrastructure have collapsed thanks to Jammeh's poor leadership." Gambia is the smallest nation on the African continent, with a population of just 1.8 million.

5. MORE FREE TIME: What would you do? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

sleep

read

exercise

watch movies

go out with friends

study

surf the Internet

go shopping

6. PRAY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'pray'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

GAP FILL

The president of Gambia has said all (1) ____________ workers will have three-day weekends starting from February 1st. President Yayha Jammeh has added Friday to the (2) ____________ weekend of Saturday and Sunday. He wants people to (3) ____________, rest more and pray. However, he also (4) ____________ that government employees would work from 8am to 6pm Mondays to Thursdays. In addition: "Schools, banks and all other (5) ____________ places are free to work on Saturdays." This means that people may have (6) ____________ weekends, and work an extra 10 hours a week. Government workers (7) ____________ work from 8am to 4pm. Working until 6pm means eight hours (8) ____________, which could become ten if they have to work on Saturdays too.

announcedpublicregularextrasplitfarmcurrentlyaffected

The president said the new working hours would, "allow Gambians to (9) ____________ more time to prayers, social activities and agriculture". He said people could, "go back to the land and (10) ____________ what we eat and eat what we grow for a healthy and (11) ____________ nation". Gambia's 'Freedom Newspaper' criticised the president's idea. It said the three-day weekend, "is going to [have a bad] (12) ____________ on the economy and the country. Many workers…are worried that the changes are going to (13) ____________ problems for them." The paper added: "Gambia's economy and infrastructure have (14) ____________ thanks to Jammeh's (15) ____________ leadership." Gambia is the smallest nation on the African (16) ____________, with a population of just 1.8 million.

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The president of Gambia has (1) ___________________ workers will have three-day weekends starting from February 1st. President Yayha Jammeh has added Friday to the (2) ___________________ Saturday and Sunday. He wants people to farm, (3) ___________________. However, he also announced that government employees would work from 8am to 6pm Mondays to Thursdays. In addition: "Schools, banks (4) _________________ places are free to work on Saturdays." This means that people may (5) ___________________, and work an extra 10 hours a week. Government workers currently work from 8am to 4pm. Working until 6pm means eight hours (6) ___________________ become ten if they have to work on Saturdays too.

The president said the new working hours would, "allow Gambians to devote more time to prayers, social (7) ___________________". He said people could, "go back to the land and grow what (8) ___________________ we grow for a healthy (9) ___________________". Gambia's 'Freedom Newspaper' criticised the president's idea. It said the three-day weekend, "is going to [have a bad] effect on the economy and the country. Many workers…are worried that the changes are (10) ___________________ problems for them." The paper added: "Gambia's economy and infrastructure have (11) ___________________ Jammeh's poor leadership." Gambia is the smallest nation on (12) ___________________, with a population of just 1.8 million.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Which workers will have three-day weekends?

2.

When will the 3-day weekends start?

3.

What day has been added to the regular weekend?

4.

How many hours extra will workers have to work on Tuesdays?

5.

At what time do government workers finish work at the moment?

6.

What kind of activities will Gambians have more time to do?

7.

What kind of nation does the president want?

8.

What effect does a newspaper think the longer weekend will have?

9.

What else has collapsed in Gambia, apart from infrastructure?

10.

What's the population of Gambia?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Who will have a 3-day weekend?

6.

Gambians will have more time for prayers, socialising and …

a) good workers
b) private workers
c) shop workers
d) public workers

a) working
b) agriculture
c) the beach
d) shopping

2.

The president wants people to farm, pray and…

7.

Where can Gambians go back to?

a) be firm
b) rest
c) play
d) work

a) bed
b) work
c) restaurants
d) the land

3.

When will public workers finish work from Feb 1st?

8.

The president wants a healthy and ______ nation.

a) 4pm
b) 5pm
c) 6pm
d) 8pm

a) wealthy
b) stealthy
c) homeless
d) heartless

4.

What are schools free to do?

9.

What kind of effect could the weekend have on the economy?

a) work on Saturdays
b) close on Thursdays
c) open on Sundays
d) start earlier on Wednesdays

a) an unknown
b) a delayed
c) a bad one
d) a positive one

5.

Why might workers have to work 10 extra hours?

10.

What is the population of Gambia?

a) if they work for the president
b) if they take Wednesdays off
c) if they work Saturdays
d) if they take the 3-day weekend

a) 1.6 million
b) 1.8 million
c) 8.1 million
d) 6.1 million

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Gambia president

You think a three-day weekend is a very, very good idea. Tell the others three reasons why. You think the idea of no weekend or a 5-day weekend is totally crazy. You think there is a big difference between a two-day weekend and a three-day weekend.

Role B – 2-day-weekend supporter

You think a two-day weekend is a very, very good idea. Tell the others three reasons why. You don't think it's good to change the weekend. People are used to a two-day weekend. You are worried the economy will become bad if people work less.

Role C – No-weekend supporter

You think having no weekend is a very, very good idea. Tell the others three reasons why. The world economy is in bad condition. Everyone must work harder to make the country strong. People who want weekends are weak and lazy. No weekends also means higher salaries.

Role D – 5-day-weekend supporter

You think a five-day weekend is a very, very good idea. Tell the others three reasons why. People work too much. They will be refreshed after a 5-day weekend and work hard. Everyone will have more family time and time to exercise and study. The country will be very happy.

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

The president of Gambia has said all (1) ____ workers will have three-day weekends starting from February 1st. President Yayha Jammeh has added Friday to the (2) ____ weekend of Saturday and Sunday. He wants people to (3) ____, rest more and pray. However, he also announced that government employees would work from 8am to 6pm Mondays to Thursdays. In (4) ____: "Schools, banks and all other affected places are free to work on Saturdays." This means that people may have (5) ____ weekends, and work an extra 10 hours a week. Government workers currently work from 8am to 4pm. Working until 6pm means eight hours extra, which could (6) ____ ten if they have to work on Saturdays too.

The president said the new working hours would, "allow Gambians to (7) ____ more time to prayers, social activities and agriculture". He said people could, "go back to the (8) ____ and grow what we eat and eat what we grow for a healthy and (9) ____ nation". Gambia's 'Freedom Newspaper' criticised the president's idea. It said the three-day weekend, "is going to [have a bad] (10) ____ on the economy and the country. Many workers…are worried that the changes are going to create problems for them." The paper added: "Gambia's economy and infrastructure have collapsed (11) ____ to Jammeh's poor leadership." Gambia is the smallest nation on the African (12) ____, with a population of just 1.8 million.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

publicity

(b)

public

(c)

publican

(d)

published

2.

(a)

unusual

(b)

regular

(c)

double

(d)

Thursday

3.

(a)

frame

(b)

firm

(c)

form

(d)

farm

4.

(a)

subtraction

(b)

addition

(c)

division

(d)

multiplication

5.

(a)

division

(b)

break

(c)

apart

(d)

split

6.

(a)

normal

(b)

addition

(c)

become

(d)

take

7.

(a)

devote

(b)

remote

(c)

demote

(d)

vote

8.

(a)

ocean

(b)

office

(c)

land

(d)

workplace

9.

(a)

welt

(b)

wealthiest

(c)

wealth

(d)

wealthy

10.

(a)

effect

(b)

effective

(c)

effects

(d)

effectively

11.

(a)

thanks

(b)

because

(c)

pleased

(d)

welcome

12.

(a)

continent

(b)

country

(c)

county

(d)

incontinent

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

The rntidspee of Gambia

2.

the larureg weekend

3.

government oyspmelee

4.

In aniotdid

5.

other edfteafc places

6.

nrructyel work from 8am

Paragraph 2

7.

devote more time to rrpaeys

8.

social activities and gculrarieut

9.

etahylw nation

10.

cdiiectsir (UK) / zidicrceit (UK) the idea

11.

Gambia's mnooyec and infrastructure have collapsed

12.

the African nietcnnto

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )

activities and agriculture". He said people could, "go back to the land and grow what we eat and

( )

idea. It said the three-day weekend, "is going to [have a bad] effect on the economy and the

( )

extra 10 hours a week. Government workers currently work from 8am to 4pm. Working until 6pm

( )

from February 1st. President Yayha Jammeh has added Friday to the regular weekend of Saturday and Sunday. He wants people

( )

The president of Gambia has said all public workers will have three-day weekends starting

( )

"Gambia's economy and infrastructure have collapsed thanks to Jammeh's poor

( )

work from 8am to 6pm Mondays to Thursdays. In addition: "Schools, banks and all other affected

( 1 )

The president said the new working hours would, "allow Gambians to devote more time to prayers, social

( )

places are free to work on Saturdays." This means that people may have split weekends, and work an

( )

eat what we grow for a healthy and wealthy nation". Gambia's 'Freedom Newspaper' criticised the president's

( )

country. Many workers…are worried that the changes are going to create problems for them." The paper added:

( )

means eight hours extra, which could become ten if they have to work on Saturdays too.

( )

leadership." Gambia is the smallest nation on the African continent, with a population of just 1.8 million.

( )

to farm, rest more and pray. However, he also announced that government employees would

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

workers three weekends public have day All will -.

2.

more and pray He wants people to farm , rest.

3.

people may This have means split that weekends.

4.

eight means 6pm until Working extra hours.

5.

too to work If on they Saturdays have.

6.

devote more Allow time Gambians to to prayers.

7.

land what Go the grow eat to and we back.

8.

bad effect on the economy and the country Have a.

9.

create them changes to for The going problems are.

10.

on continent is nation African Gambia smallest the the.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The president of Gambia has said all public / publicity workers will have three-day weekends starting from February 1st. President Yayha Jammeh has added Friday to the irregular / regular weekend of Saturday and Sunday. He wants people to farm / form, rest more and pray. However, he also announced / announcement that government employees would works / work from 8am to 6pm Mondays to Thursdays. In addition / subtraction: "Schools, banks and all other affected / infected places are free to work on Saturdays." This means that people may have spilt / split weekends, and work an extra 10 hours a week. Government workers currency / currently work from 8am to 4pm. Working until 6pm means / meanings eight hours extra, which could become ten if they have to work on Saturdays too.

The president said the new working hours would, "allow Gambians to devotion / devote more time to prayers, social / socially activities and agriculture". He said people could, "go back to the landing / land and grow what we eat and eat what we grow / growth for a healthy and wealth / wealthy nation". Gambia's 'Freedom Newspaper' criticized / criticism the president's idea. It said the three-day weekend, "is going to [have a bad] effect / affect on the economy and the country. Many workers…are worried that the changes are going to create problems for they / them." The paper added: "Gambia's economy and infrastructure have collapsed / collapses thanks to Jammeh's poor leadership." Gambia is the smallest nation on the African continent / country, with a population of just 1.8 million.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the president of gambia has said all public workers will have three-day weekends starting from february 1st president yayha jammeh has added friday to the regular weekend of saturday and sunday he wants people to farm rest more and pray however he also announced that government employees would work from 8am to 6pm mondays to thursdays in addition "schools banks and all other affected places are free to work on saturdays" this means that people may have split weekends and work an extra 10 hours a week government workers currently work from 8am to 4pm working until 6pm means eight hours extra which could become ten if they have to work on saturdays too

the president said the new working hours would "allow gambians to devote more time to prayers social activities and agriculture" he said people could "go back to the land and grow what we eat and eat what we grow for a healthy and wealthy nation" gambia's 'freedom newspaper' criticised the president's idea it said the three-day weekend "is going to [have a bad] effect on the economy and the country many workers…are worried that the changes are going to create problems for them" the paper added "gambia's economy and infrastructure have collapsed thanks to jammeh's poor leadership" gambia is the smallest nation on the african continent with a population of just 18 million

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about Gambia. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. WEEKENDS: Make a poster about weekends. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. 3-DAYER: Write a magazine article about 3-day weekends. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to the president of Gambia. Ask him three questions about weekends. Give him three of your opinions. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

workers

a.

employees

2

regular

b.

usual

3.

free to

c.

able to

4.

split

d.

divided

5.

extra

e.

more

6.

agriculture

f.

farming

7.

wealthy

g.

rich

8.

create

h.

make

9.

poor

i.

bad

10.

nation

j.

country

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Public (government) workers

2.

February 1st

3.

Friday

4.

Two

5.

4pm

6.

Social activities (and praying and agricultural activities)

7.

A healthy and wealthy one

8.

A bad effect

9.

The economy

10.

1.8 million

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)